Lifi enabled guard security system

ABSTRACT

A portable security device may enable a security guard to quietly and unobtrusively solicit assistance, or transmit information, when desired. A portable security device may include a user interface, a LiFi source and a controller that is operatively coupled to the user interface and to the LiFi source. In some cases, the controller may be configured to present two or more alert options to the security guard via the user interface and to receive a selection of one of the alert options by the security guard. In response to the selection of an alert option by the security guard, the controller may be configured to transmit a LiFi message that corresponds to the selected alert option via the LiFi source.

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/618,065, filed Jun. 8, 2017, which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to security systems and moreparticularly to portable security devices that may be used by a securityguard or the like touring a space.

BACKGROUND

There are many situations in which a security guard makes rounds whenmonitoring activity within a building or an exterior location such as apark. In some instances, the security guard may periodically check inwhile making their rounds. This can involve a guard periodically swipingan access card in a card reader, for example. The security guard maycome across a situation that may require additional assistance. In somecases, the security guard may use a phone or walkie-talkie to call forassistance. In some instances, however, there may be a desire for thesecurity guard to be able to quietly call for assistance, for example,without alerting intruders or the like. A need remains for a portablesecurity device that can be carried by a security guard and can quietly,unobtrusively and reliably communicate information and/or solicitassistance. A need also remains for a portable security device that canautomatically check-in at predetermined locations while the securityguard makes his/her rounds.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure pertains generally to security systems and moreparticularly to portable security devices that may be used by a securityguard touring a space. In an example of the disclosure, a portablesecurity device may enable a security guard to quietly, unobtrusivelyand reliably communicate information and/or solicit assistance, and insome cases, automatically check-in at predetermined locations while thesecurity guard makes his/her rounds.

In a particular example of the disclosure, a portable security devicefor use by a security guard touring a space may include a userinterface, a LiFi (Light Fidelity) source and a controller that isoperatively coupled to the user interface and to the LiFi source. Insome cases, the controller may be configured to present two or morealert options to the security guard via the user interface and toreceive a selection of one of the alert options from the security guard.In response to the selection of an alert option by the security guard,the controller may be configured to transmit a LiFi message thatcorresponds to the selected alert option via the LiFi source.

In another example of the disclosure, a portable security device for useby a security guard touring a space may include a user interface, a LiFisource and a controller that is operatively coupled to the userinterface and to the LiFi source. In some cases, the controller may beconfigured to receive input from the security guard via the userinterface and, in response to receiving the input from the portablesecurity guard, transmit a LiFi message that corresponds to the receivedinput via the LiFi source.

In another example of the disclosure, a method may include displayingtwo or more alert options to a security guard on a user interface of aportable security device, receiving a selection of one or more of thealert options via the user interface of the portable security device andtransmitting one or more LiFi messages that correspond to the selectedone or more alert options via a LiFi source of the portable securitydevice.

The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of someof the features of the present disclosure and is not intended to be afull description. A full appreciation of the disclosure can be gained bytaking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as awhole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing description of various illustrative embodiments of thedisclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a security guard touring a space, thespace equipped with a plurality of LiFi receivers in accordance with thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative portable securitydevice usable by the security guard of FIG. 1 in accordance with thedisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative portable securitydevice usable by the security guard of FIG. 1 in accordance with thedisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative portable securitydevice usable by the security guard of FIG. 1 in accordance with thedisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative user interface forminga portion of any of the portable security devices of FIGS. 2 through 4in accordance with the disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an illustrative method in accordance withthe disclosure;

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of thedisclosure to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawingswherein like reference numerals indicate like elements. The drawings,which are not necessarily to scale, are not intended to limit the scopeof the disclosure. In some of the figures, elements not believednecessary to an understanding of relationships among illustratedcomponents may have been omitted for clarity.

All numbers are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”,unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The recitation ofnumerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within thatrange (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural referents unless thecontent clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification andthe appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its senseincluding “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”,“some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc., indicate that theembodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature,structure, or characteristic may be applied to other embodiments whetheror not explicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a space 10 that may, for example,correspond to an area that may be patrolled by a security guard 12. Insome cases, the space 10 may correspond to a building or a series ofbuildings. In some cases, the space 10 may correspond to a park, aparking lot, a sports stadium, or the like. The space 10 may include anumber of LiFi receivers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c through 14 n, where n is aninteger denoting a total number of LiFi receivers. In some cases, theLiFi receivers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c through 14 n may be mounted to walls orother vertical surfaces within a building. In some cases, the LiFireceivers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c through 14 n may be mounted onto a fence, oron light posts if the space 10 is an outdoor space, for example. In somecases, at least some of the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c through 14 nmay be built into visible light sources. In some cases, at least some ofthe LiFi receivers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c through 14 n may also include a LiFisource (not illustrated), such that information may be transmitted fromas well as received by the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c through 14 nto support bi-directional communication.

In some cases, the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c through 14 n mayinclude sensors that are sensitive to modulated light. In some cases, aswill be discussed, a light source may include a portable light sourcethat is configured to be modulated in order to transmit data. In FIG. 1,a security guard 12 can be seen holding a portable security device 16.In some cases, as will be discussed, the portable security device 16 mayinclude a light source that is configured to be modulated at high ratesof speed in order to transmit information to the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14b, 14 c through 14 n that are within range. In some cases, the lightsource may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). In somecases, the light source may be a visible light source. In some cases,the light source may be an ultraviolet (UV) light source or an infrared(IR) light source. In some cases, the light source may be a multi-bandlight source that operates in two or more bands, such as two or more ofthe visible light band, the UV light band, and the IR light band. Insome cases, one band, such as the visible light band, may be used forillumination while another band may be used for communication. In somecases, one band, such as the visible light band, may be used for bothillumination and communication.

In some cases, the light source may be configured so that the lightemanating from the light source, or at least particular wavelengths ofthe light emanating from the light source, may be modulated at a ratethat can be used to transmit information. In some cases, the lightsource may be considered as being a LiFi (Light Fidelity) light source.LiFi can be implemented as a unidirectional, high speed communicationlink, or a bidirectional, high-speed and fully networked wirelesscommunication link that is similar in functionality to WiFi. In somecases, LiFi may provide higher bandwidth relative to other wirelesscommunication technologies including WiFi. LiFi may also provide ahigher level of security relative to other wireless communicationtechnologies, including WiFi, since LiFi typically requires closerproximity and often line-of-sight access. Also, LiFi is light based andis thus less susceptible to electronic jamming.

As will be discussed with respect to subsequent Figures, the portablesecurity device 16 may be configured to enable the security guard 12 tocommunicate information to at least one of the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14,14 c through 14 n. In some cases, the portable security device 16 mayperiodically transmit identifying information that may be received bywhichever of the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c through 14 n thatis/are within range of the portable security device 16. For example, theidentifying information may include a code that uniquely identifies theportable security device 16 and/or perhaps a biometric code thatuniquely identifies the security guard 12. While FIG. 1 shows thesecurity guard 12 holding the portable security device 16, in some casesthe portable security device 16 may be worn on a uniform like a patch,or may be worn around the neck on a lanyard. In some cases, the portablesecurity device 16 may be built into a flashlight or similar device. Insome cases, the portable security device 16 may be used to transmit oneor several alert messages to one of the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14 b, 14 cthrough 14 n, for example.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative portable securitydevice 18 that may, for example, be considered as being an example ofthe portable security device 16 shown in FIG. 1. The portable securitydevice 18 may, for example, be hand-held so that the security guard 12may aim it when desired. The portable security device 18 includes a userinterface 20, a LiFi source 22 and a controller 24 that is operablycoupled to the user interface 20 and to the LiFi source 22. The userinterface 20 may be configured to display information to be read by thesecurity guard 12 as well as to accept inputs from the security guard12. The user interface 20 may include a mechanical interface. In somecases, the user interface 20 may for example be a touch screen display.

In some cases, the controller 24 may be configured to receive input fromthe security guard 12 via the user interface 20, and in response toreceiving the input from the security guard 12, to transmit a LiFimessage that corresponds to the received input via the LiFi source 22.In some cases, the portable security device 18 may include a camera 26that may be a still camera or a video camera. Images or video from thecamera 26 may be stored in a memory of the controller 24 to documentthat the guard performed his rounds and/or the conditions in the spaceduring the rounds. The images and/or video may be time stamped. In someinstances, the received input from the security guard 12 may include acommand to transmit a photo or a video from the camera 26 via the LiFisource 22. In some cases, a photo and/or a video may be transmitted viathe LiFi source 22 in real time or near real time.

In some cases, the portable security device 18 may include a microphone27 that may capture audio. The captured audio from the microphone 27 maybe stored in a memory of the controller 24 to document the conditions inthe space during the rounds. The captured audio may be time stamped. Insome instances, the received input from the security guard 12 mayinclude a command to transmit the audio from the microphone 27 via theLiFi source 22. In some cases, the audio may be transmitted via the LiFisource 22 in real time or near real time.

In some cases, the portable security device 18 may include a LiFireceiver 28 for receiving information from a remote LiFi source. In somecases, the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14, 14 c through 14 n may each include asuitable LiFi source. In some instances, the controller 24 may beconfigured to display at least some of the received information on theuser interface 20.

In some cases, the controller 24 may be configured to present two ormore predefined alert options to the security guard 12 via the userinterface 20. The controller 24 may accept selection of one of the alertoptions from the security guard 12 via the user interface 20, and inresponse transmit a LiFi message via the LiFi source 22 that correspondsto the selected alert option. In some cases, the LiFi message mayinclude a text based message that includes a description of an observedevent or incident. In some cases, the LiFi message may include an imagefrom the camera 26. In some cases, when the camera 26 is a video camera,the transmitted message may include a recorded or live video from thecamera 26. In some cases, the LiFi message may include recorded or liveaudio from the microphone 27. The LiFi message may be received by one ormore of the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14, 14 c through 14 n, which mayidentify an approximate location of the reported event or incidentwithin the space.

In some cases, a first one of the alert options may correspond to afirst type of incident and a second one of the alert options maycorrespond to a second type of incident that is different from the firsttype of incident. For example, the alert options may include “Anintruder was/is seen”, “An unusual noise was/is heard”, “A security gatewas found open”, “A light was found on that should not be on”, “Smoke isobserved”, “A water leak is observed”, and “A gas leak is observed”.These are just some examples. In some cases, the LiFi messagetransmitted by the LiFi source 22 may be encrypted. In some cases, theLiFi message transmitted by the LiFi source 22 may include text and/oraudio and/or video. In some cases, the LiFi message transmitted by theLiFi source 22 may, for example, convey a severity level of thecorresponding alert from two or more different available severitylevels. The security level may be pre-defined based on the alert optionselected by the security guard, or may be separately selected by thesecurity guard depending on the observed conditions on the ground.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another illustrative portable securitydevice 30 that may be considered as being an example of the portablesecurity device 16 (FIG. 1) or the portable security device 18 (FIG. 2).In this example, the portable security device 30 is built into the bodyof a flashlight 32. This enables the security guard 12 to utilize theportable security device 30 as a portable light source, but also enablesthe security guard 12 to point the portable security device 30 at aparticular LiFi receiver such as one of the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14 b,14 c through 14 n shown in FIG. 1 in order to transmit a message fromthe portable security device 30 such as but not limited to an alertmessage. The illustrative portable security device 30 includes a userinterface 34 that enables alert messages to be displayed for selectionby the security guard 12. In some cases, the user interface 34 mayinclude a key board that allows the security guard 12 to type in acustom message describing the incident and/or conditions. Theillustrative portable security device 30 may also include a LiFi source36 that is configured to transmit alert messages and other informationas desired. The illustrative portable security device 30 may alsotransmit via the LiFi source 36 a check-in signal to automaticallycheck-in at predetermined locations, such as at each of the LiFireceivers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c through 14 n shown in FIG. 1, while thesecurity guard makes his/her rounds. It will be appreciated that whilenot illustrated, the portable security device 30 may include additionalcomponents such as a controller, power source, camera, microphone andthe like.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an illustrative portable security device40 that may be considered as being an example of the portable securitydevice 16 (FIG. 1) or the portable security device 18 (FIG. 2). In thisexample, the portable security device 16 is built into a badge 42 thatmay be secured to a uniform of a security guard 12, or secured to alanyard that the security guard 12 may wear around their neck. Theillustrative portable security device 40 includes a user interface 44that enables alert messages to be displayed for selection by thesecurity guard 12, for example, as well as a LiFi source 46 that isconfigured to transmit alert messages and other information as desired.The illustrative portable security device 40 may also transmit via theLiFi source 46 a check-in signal to automatically check-in atpredetermined locations, such as at each of the LiFi receivers 14 a, 14b, 14 c through 14 n shown in FIG. 1, while the security guard makeshis/her rounds. It will be appreciated that while not illustrated, theportable security device 40 may include additional components such as acontroller, power source, camera, microphone and the like.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an illustrative user interface 50 that maybe considered as being an example of the user interface 20 (FIG. 2), theuser interface 34 (FIG. 3) and/or the user interface 44 (FIG. 4). Insome cases, the user interface 50 is a touch screen display that is ableto display information as well as accept selections of the displayedinformation. As shown, the user interface 50 is displaying an ALERT ONEbutton 52, an ALERT TWO button 54 and an ALERT THREE button 56. It willbe appreciated that these are generic alert descriptions intended torepresent any of a variety of different alert situations. For example,the ALERT ONE button 52 may correspond to a possible intruder. The ALERTTWO button 54 may correspond to a possible medical emergency. The ALERTTHREE button 56 may correspond to a possible fire. These are merelyexamples. In some cases, for example, once the security guard 12 selectson the ALERT buttons 52, 54, 56, the user interface 50 may then displayadditional menu options, such as allowing the security guard 12 toindicate a relative severity level of the possible situation, or tofurther specify the type of possible help that might be useful. In somecases, the user interface 34 may also include a key board (not shown) toallow the security guard 12 to type in a custom message describing theincident and/or observed conditions.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method 60 that may be carried out. Inthe example method 60, two or more alert options are displayed to asecurity guard on a user interface of a portable security device, asgenerally indicated at block 62. As seen at block 64, selection of oneor more of the alert options may be received via the user interface ofthe portable security device. One or more LiFi messages may betransmitted that correspond to the selected one or more alert optionsvia a LiFi source of the portable security device, as indicated at block66. In some cases, information may be received via a LiFi receiver ofthe portable security device as indicated at block 68. As shown at block70, at least some of the received information may be displayed on theuser interface of the portable security device. The received informationmay, for example, direct the security guard to a particular location,may alert the security guard to a detected incident and details aboutthe detected incident, and/or may provide other information.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure maybe manifested in a variety of forms other than the specific embodimentsdescribed and contemplated herein. Accordingly, departure in form anddetail may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure as described in the appended claims.

1. A portable security device for use by a person touring a space, theportable security device comprising: a user interface; a modulatinglight source; and a controller operatively coupled to the user interfaceand the modulating light source, the controller configured to: presenttwo or more alert options to the person via the user interface eachcorresponding to a different event or incident that may be encounteredby the person while the person is touring the space; receive a selectionof one of the alert options by the person in response to the personencountering the corresponding event or incident while the person istouring the space; and after the selection of an alert option by theperson, transmit a message that corresponds to the selected alert optionby modulating the modulating light source to notify a security system ofthe encountered event or incident.
 2. The portable security device ofclaim 1 further comprising a camera, wherein with the selection of atleast one of the alert options by the person, the message includes animage from the camera.
 3. The portable security device of claim 2,wherein the camera is a video camera, and wherein with the selection ofat least one of the alert options by the person, the message includes avideo from the video camera.
 4. The portable security device of claim 3,wherein the message that includes the video from the video cameraincludes a live video from the video camera.
 5. The portable securitydevice of claim 3, wherein the message that includes the video from thevideo camera includes a recorded video from the video camera.
 6. Theportable security device of claim 1, wherein a first one of the alertoptions corresponds to a first type of event or incident and a secondone of the alert options corresponds to a second type of event orincident, wherein the first type of event or incident is different fromthe second type of event or incident.
 7. The portable security device ofclaim 1, wherein the message is encrypted.
 8. The portable securitydevice of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a code that uniquelyidentifies the portable security device.
 9. The portable security deviceof claim 1, wherein the message comprises a biometric code that uniquelyidentifies the person.
 10. The portable security device of claim 1,wherein the message comprises text and/or audio.
 11. The portablesecurity device of claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted usingVisible Light Communication (VLC).
 12. The portable security device ofclaim 1, wherein the message is transmitted using LiFi communication.13. The portable security device of claim 1, wherein the message conveysa severity level of the corresponding alert option from two or moredifferent available severity levels.
 14. The portable security device ofclaim 1, wherein the portable security device is configured to behandheld such that the person can point the modulating light source at aremote light receiver located in the space.
 15. The portable securitydevice of claim 1, further comprising a LiFi receiver for receivinginformation from a remote LiFi source, and wherein the controller isconfigured to display at least some of the received information on theuser interface of the portable security device.
 16. A portable securitydevice built into a flashlight for use by a person moving about, theportable security device serving as a portable light source, theportable security device comprising: a user interface; a modulatinglight source; and a controller operatively coupled to the user interfaceand the modulating light source, the controller configured to: receivean input from the person via the user interface in response to theperson encountering an event or incident while the person is movingabout; and after receiving the input from the person, transmit a messagethat corresponds to the received input by modulating the modulatinglight source to notify a remote security system of the encountered eventor incident.
 17. The portable security device of claim 16 furthercomprising a video camera, wherein the received input from the personcomprises a command to transmit a video from the video camera via themodulating light source.
 18. The portable security device of claim 16,further comprising a light receiver for receiving information from aremote modulating light source, and wherein the controller is configuredto display at least some of the received information on the userinterface of the portable security device.
 19. A method comprising:displaying two or more alert options to a person on a user interface ofa portable security device each corresponding to a different event orincident; receiving a selection of one or more of the alert options viathe user interface of the portable security device in response to theperson encountering the corresponding event or incident; transmittingone or more messages that correspond to the selected one or more alertoptions via a modulating light source of the portable security device tonotify a remote system of the encountered event or incident.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising: receiving information via alight receiver of the portable security device; and displaying at leastsome of the received information on the user interface of the portablesecurity device.